Near East University stands out….Near East University: 85 – Abdullah Gül University: 45

Hosting Abdullah Gül University in the 4th week of Turkish Women’s Basketball Super League, Near East University outscored its opponent by 40 points and won the game 85-45. With this victory, Near East University continues its way without losing by winning 4 out of 4 games while Abdullah Gül University tasted its first defeat this season.

According to the info released by Near East University Sports Club, the game took place at Caferağa Sports Saloon and Near East University started the game with Cansu Köksal, Kayla McBride, Courtney Vandersloot, Quanitra Hollingsworth, and Jantel Lavender. Exhibiting a very effective performance, Near East University won the game victoriously by giving its opponent no chance and respite.

Starting the game with an outstanding performance based on “team first” mentality, the versatile players of Near East University scored 31 points, handed out 10 assists and 7 rebounds during the first quarter. Having been effective in defense and offence, Near East University outscored by 17 points and completed the first period victoriously by a net score 31-14.

Starting the second quarter with Olcay Çakır’s three point shot, Near East University extended the score difference to 20 points (34-14). Near East University kept dominating the game by scoring significant points, crashing the boards and handing out assists. At the end of this period, Near East University shot a basket through an offensive rebound and completed the first half by a net score 49-31.

In the very early seconds of the second period, NEU’s new transfer, Ann Wautters got inside the paint and drove the ball to basket with a lay-up shot(51-31).Continuing to dominate the game by crashing the boards and handing out significant assists, the scorer players of Near East University kept scoring through two-point and three-point shots. In this period, Near East University outscored its opponent by 26 points (67-41).

Without resting on its score advantage, and without compromising effective performance, the Near East University started the final period with a very high tempo. This period, the rival tried to fight back but the versatile players of Near East University gave them no way through tough zone defense. In the last minute of the game Gökçe Doğan and Cansu Köksal brought the score to 85-45 with their significant shots. The Near East University dominated this period completely and outscored its rival by 40 points and won the game 85-45.

Zafer Kalaycıoğlu; “This win was important for us …”

Evaluating the game briefly, Zafer Kalaycıoğlu, the head coach of the Near East University Women’s Basketball Team, said that they pulled out a win easily from a game that would be more difficult for them. Kalaycıoğlu extended his congratulations to AGÜ and continued his remarks: “Winning the game with great difference in score doesn’t mean that our rival is weak. They have injured players as well. They are also tired. Within this week, we played a tough EuroLeague match at home and we lost versus Ekaterinburg. Last year, we didn’t lose even a home game in EuroCup. The frustration caused by this defeat and our warnings had a positive impact and motivation on the team. The team has exhibited clearly how motivated they were for this match. It was a good match for us. I hope, we will continue this way” said he.

Olcay Çakır: “As a team we had been more effective …”

Olcay Çakır, who had been away from the courts due to a minor injury, said that the game was important for her and for the team.

Stating that she had experienced a minor injury, Olcay Çakır expressed her views regarding the game. “We are getting through a challenging process. This match was important for me and for my team. It was a competition where all our players had opportunity to show their performances based on “team first” mentality. As a team, we won the game by playing more effectively and exhibiting much better performance.

The fifth week game will be on the Yellow-Red court….

Near East University will face Galatasaray for the away game in the fifth week of the league. The game will take place at Ahmet Cömert Sports Hall on 4 November 2017 at 14:00.